Minister John Boyce has broken his silence to confirm that Barbados has recorded 49 confirmed cases of chikungunya and 200 suspected cases. To be fair to  minister Boyce he is quoted as saying “the figures could be higher because a number of Barbadians might have resorted to treating themselves at home, rather than going to see a doctor.” BU wants to challenge the 200 suspected cases number by suggesting it is more like in the thousands. On the weekend health inspectors confirmed there is a probability 60% of Barbadians will contract chikungunya.

What is chikungunya?

Click here to view a Digital Press Kit on chikungunya from the CDC News Room. Chikungunya (pronunciation: \chik-en-gun-ye) virus is transmitted to people by mosquitoes. The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Outbreaks have occurred in countriesin Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In late 2013, chikungunya virus was found for the first time in the Americas on islands in the Caribbean. There is a risk that the virus will be imported to new areas by infected travelers. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. When traveling to countries with chikungunya virus, use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens – CDC

Chikungunya continues to weak havoc across the Caribbean feeding on an environment where regional governments are cash strapped and unable to wrestle it to the ground. At a time when our ailing economies need to produce more, it is forced to produce less because of significant sick leave by employees.

We understand the Ministry of the Environment in Barbados is undermanned as a result of the recent retrenchment exercise. Many National Conservation Commission (NCC) workers who were charged to assist with ‘beautifying’ Barbados have had to resort to demonstrating outside government offices to demand outstanding severance payment. To make matters worse, the Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) is struggling with equipment and unable to efficiently collect garbage from our streets.

There has been no call yet by the government, through minister Denis Lowe, to declare a 2 day national clean up to mobilize and sensitize Barbadians to the need to clean our streets and neighbourhoods to eliminate mosquitoes breeding sites.

And we wait for nature to punish us with the big E.